SUBLETTE COUNTY – A Pinedale man charged with domestic battery on March 16 changed his plea to “no contest” Nov. 29 after attorneys reached, and the judge accepted, a plea agreement.

After his initial not guilty plea, Christopher S. Davis was scheduled for a 6-person jury trial on Nov. 3 in Sublette County Circuit Court before Judge John LaBuda. He was represented by Clay Kainer with Sublette County Deputy Attorney Damon DeBernardi prosecuting.

Kainer argued that Davis should not be ordered to pay almost $1,000 restitution to replace his victim’s cell phone because Davis was not charged with its damage or destruction. Judge LaBuda agreed but ordered Davis to repay the woman’s medical bill of $375 for a strangulation examination four days after the two argued.

“I agree with Mr. Kainer about the cell phone but the battery occurred with Mr. Davis putting his hands around her throat,” DeBernardi said.

Judge LaBuda asked Davis if he wanted to speak.

“I’d like to explain myself for that night from my point of view,” Davis said, adding that he had no intention to strangle the woman but was trying to get away from her.

Davis was sentenced to one year unsupervised probation with domestic violence and anger management evaluations plus court costs and restitution of $645.60. The judge granted Davis permission to live in Utah for the next several months and ordered him to have no contact with the victim.